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By English Paul…
What a difference 24 hours makes. One day after the Blue Jays beat the Yankees in front of one of their most vocal crowds for 16 years, the roles were reversed in an 8-2 defeat before 20,164 fans.
No matter what your daytime job is, everyone has bad days at the office. This was definitely the case for Scott Richmond last night. Almost from the word go, Richmond was not on his game. Certainly, you rarely see a starting pitcher being replaced in the second inning.
Fortunately, Toronto will have little time to dwell on the loss as they prepare for today’s series finale against the Bronx Bombers. A victory is vital for the home team, as they battle to stay on top of the AL East. Despite losing last night in Los Angeles, the Boston Red Sox are looking ominously good.
Brian Tallet (2-1, 4.95) will be on the pitching mound tonight for the Blue Jays, going up against the Yankees $161 million man, CC Sabathia (2-3, 3.94). The two pitchers couldn’t be more different and it should make for an interesting duel.
Robert Ray was originally scheduled to pitch tonight, but it made sense to push him back in the rotation. Oklahoma native Tallet has been outstanding in his last two starts, going seven innings on each occasion and only allowing a combined four runs and six hits.
For New York, CC Sabathia has not been too impressive so far this season, although he is renowned for being a slow starter. However, the former Milwaukee Brewer has shown signs of turning it around recently, pitching a complete game against the Baltimore Orioles in his last start.
On the injury front, Derek Jeter, who has not swung a bat since Sunday, said he hopes to be ready for today’s game. For Toronto, Aaron Hill should be available, despite leaving last nights game in the fourth inning after earlier fouling a ball off his left shin.
The season may still be young, but its important for Toronto to pass their first big test of the season, especially with six games coming up against Boston before the end of May. Here’s hoping that a big crowd will be on hand tonight to help cheer the Blue Jays to victory.
Paul Taylor can be contacted at: [email protected]
By Andrew Echevarria…
A couple of weeks ago, Brian Burke announced that he was going to try to move up in the draft and go for Tavares.
Before I go on, let me make it clear that the word “try” is present. “Try” means he will attempt, but there is no guarantee it will happen. It seems that everyone’s already saying “Burke said he’s going to go for Tavares! Tavares is coming to Toronto!”
Unfortunately, Brian Burke is not God (apologies to those who think otherwise). He cannot make a trade happen out of thin air. Sure he can propose a great deal, but if the team doesn’t accept, it doesn’t happen.
There was actually a rumour flying around that the Toronto Maple Leafs were going to make a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning which would include sending Kaberle, Schenn, and their first rounder for Ryan Malone and a first rounder. However, Burke doesn’t seem ready to give up Schenn just yet, and he still wants to look at other possibilities.
A while back, it seemed like Brian Burke was basically saying he was willing to package Luke Schenn in a deal to get the Isles’ or the Lightning’s first round pick this year. However, all he has said was the Luke Schenn was the closest player to being untouchable.
What does untouchable mean?
It means that he will not be traded no matter what. If a player is untouchable, it means he is a great asset to the team and the team seems to rotate around him. He is worth too much to the team to be traded.
Brian Burke doesn’t seem to think of Luke Schenn that way.
But just because a player isn’t untouchable doesn’t mean he’s up for grabs. Burke definatly values Schenn and sees him as a great player to build around which probably means he will try his best to keep him in Toronto.
So, who exactly is available other than Schenn? Well, a couple of months ago Cliff Fletcher said Nik Antropov was the only top six forward on the team, but he’s gone now. So is a team of third and fourth liners all we have? Of coure not, there are guys like Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin that still have bright futures ahead. Even Ponikarovsky has stepped up and shown what he can do.
If Burke wants to make a good deal, he’ll have to throw in Luke Schenn because we all honestly know that Burke does not want to start giving away draft picks, and there is no way that a team is going to accept a trade just involving current Leafs. Of course, we have our first round pick this year that Burke seems to not mind giving up, but once again, he’ll only give it up if it means Tavares.
Right now everyone’s thinking Burke is going to pull off something big, but he probably won’t. Remember the trade deadline? Everyone thought that he was going to end up bringing in prospects and draft picks, when all he really brought in was acouple of second rounders. Of course, not all of us thought he would be very active at the trade deadline, but the majority did (you know who you are).
So in my opinion, the draft is going to be a big disappointment for those thinking that Burke is going to land Tavares. Maybe if the Leafs still had Mats Sundin, they could pull something off without having to give up Schenn, but for now, Burke is probably going to play it safe, and keep Schenn.
Stay tuned for an interview with Ryan Ellis.
By Stoker MacIntosh… One of my favorite fighters on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list is Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins.
Being in my mid-40s and still in decent physical condition is only one of the reasons why I feel I can relate to the man—on a physical level, at least, if not financial.
The other factors being that, even though he has paid his dues in the sport, he is still able to compete among boxing’s elite fighters; his sincere desire to leave behind a legacy—filled with names that matter—is something I can truly understand and respect.
After all, Hopkins enjoyed a 10-year reign as Middleweight World Champion, which he successfully defended a record 20 times.
Hopkins recently proved that he is still the middleweight king by trouncing the current holder, Kelly Pavlik, in a 12-round unanimous decision.
“B-Hop,” as his friends call him, is also the first boxer to retain all four major title belts—including the Ring Magazine belt—in the same fight; so, if he wants to pick and choose his remaining few fights, who are we to complain?
Hardcore fans and sportswriters (myself not included) have had Hopkins’ head on a metaphoric chopping block as of late, and I feel that most of this judgmental criticism is totally unwarranted.
This ruckus all started back in February, when B-Hop suggested that his next opponent be cruiserweight champion Tomaz Ademek, a man who has literally no fan base.
Hopkins offered the fighter $500,000 for 45 minutes work, an offer that, according to the court of public opinion, was not only insulting, but was also equivalent to a swift kick in the family jewels.
Adamek and his group of henchmen (Main Events) told Hopkins to take a hike and they all moved on to other business, which will include a championship match July 10 against an unknown opponent—an event that undoubtedly left them settling for far less than Hopkins offered.
Now, I’m not sure where you work, but if somebody offered me $500,000 to drive my forklift around the warehouse for 45 minutes, you can bet your Philly-cheese-steak that I wouldn’t be sitting here pecking away on this keyboard.
Hopkins, meanwhile, is still casting his nets and trolling for a fight, even though he’ll tell anyone who listens that he doesn’t really care if he fights again, and that his wife just wants him out of the house.
I’m not suggesting that Hopkins has no ego; ultimately, it’s always about him and money, but have you ever seen a great fighter who was void of that certain self-gratification?
Having a big ego is part of the pride and courage necessary to enter into a confined space with another combatant and proceed to clobber or else be clobbered.
Let’s be honest, these pugilists are able to dig deep into the pits of a physical hell to emerge victorious, while most of us mere mortals do not possess such intestinal fortitude. Sadly, this is partly the reason for our fascination with the sport.
Richard Schaefer, the CEO of Golden Boy Promotions—of which Hopkins is a very visible partner—stated that Hopkins had a new target: super middleweight titlist Carl Froch of England.
Froch has had his stock rise as of late with a sensational come from behind knockout of Jermain Taylor with only 14 seconds left in the fight.
The common denominator being that Taylor, of course, owns two decision wins against Hopkins at middleweight.
Hopkins-Froch is a big fight for them, but what about B-Hop?
Well it seemed for a time that he was predisposed with thoughts of resurrecting Felix Tito Trinidad from somewhere deep in the bowels of boxing obscurity for a possible rematch.
That’s mostly due to Trinidad’s name recognition, and the entire country of Puerto Rico, who would undoubtedly come out and support him. Thankfully, however, talks of that ridiculous fight have died down.
Schaefer was quoted as saying that maybe he could make the Froch-Hopkins fight for sometime in July.”What I have to do is discuss it with Bernard and HBO,” Schaefer said, admitting he was unsure if Showtime had any rights to Froch following the Taylor fight.
“Bernard told me he would do it at 168, so I’m going to try to make it,” Schaefer said, adding that Hopkins might even be willing to go to England for the fight. “O2 Arena in London. It would be big.” Sure, it sounds reasonable and is an interesting fight.
Another favorite fighter of mine from the previous decade is Roy Jones Jr., who holds a win over Hopkins 16 years ago. There are murmurings of this fight every now and again but it’s quickly dispelled by Hopkins. This is puzzling to me; one would think that Hopkins would jump at the chance to redeem himself against Jones.
The fight would have the support of both fighter fan bases, the entire state of Florida notwithstanding. In 2007, it was rumored that RJ had a rocky relationship with HBO, which led to the talks between the two camps breaking off.
A fight against Jones could also ultimately come down to a battle of egos, or perhaps dollars and sense—common sense. Something which seems to be a rarity among fighters and match-makers these days.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
—Thomas A. Edison
By Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter…
In the end, the finish did not live up to the hype, but the series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals was everything we expected it to be. Great efforts by both Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, competent goaltending by Semion Varlamov and Marc-Andre Fluery, some nasty hits, tremendous scoring plays and a display of heart and skill that we haven’t seen for quite sometime, all added up to a series we will not soon forget. In fact, for many the Caps/Penguins series was their Stanley Cup, let’s hope we can be so lucky and get such a great series in the final.
The Boston Bruins are 0-21 all-time when down 3-1 in a series, tonight that should all change. The Carolina Hurricanes have all but dominated the Bruins in 2 of the past 3 games, but they have continually failed to beat Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas, therein lies the problem. Cam Ward has played “Ok” in this series, but he has not been “On” in games 4,5, and 6. If the Canes have any chance of winning tonight they will need a monumental effort from Ward, barring that I see the Bruins taking it to the Hurricanes, coming all the way back from the 3-1 deficit, beating the ‘Canes 4-2 tonight.
The Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks have their own game 7 to play tonight. Once again, you gotta feel like Home ice will be a huge factor. Joe Louis Arena is a tough place to play at the best of times, game 7 in a playoff series may prove to be daunting to the Ducks. In the end you gotta think the Red Wings will answer the bell and pull off the victory tonight. Detroit will be all-business tonight, with the likes of Marian Hossa, Pavol Datsyuk and Nik Lidstrom leading the way. Detroit has too many offensive weapons, and have outshot the Ducks in every game thus far in the series, in a close game that should bode well for the Red Wings. I am taking the Red Wings to pull out the win over the Ducks, it will be closer than we think, a nail bitting 3-2 win for Detroit.
In the meantime, the Chicago Blackhawks sit idle having knocked off the Vancouver Canucks. The young Chicago squad has officially taken on the role of “Cinderella” and will have a decent shot against either Detroit or Anaheim, especially when you consider what a war the Anaheim/Detroit series has been and how well rested the Hawks will be heading into the third round. For Vancouver’s part, one has to believe that the off-season will be an interesting one. There are already rumors swirling that ‘Nucks fans are calling for management to trade goaltender Roberto Luongo, Mats Sundin pooped the bed in the series against the Hawks and may very well retire and then there is the little matter of re-signing the Sedin Twins. It all adds up to a tough off-season for Vancouver GM Mike Gillis, good luck with that!
It’s been the best playoffs in recent memory, and we looked to be headed in to round three with three original 6 teams still alive. It will be a great long weekend to hit the patio and watch some hockey, get out there and enjoy, hockey like this doesn’t come around often.
Until next time,
Peace!
By Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano…
The Toronto Blue Jays sat alone atop the MLB, the kings of the castle so to speak, before this game between them and hated divisional rival New York Yankees got underway.
During the pregame Yankees batting practice the Rogers Centre fire alarm sounded steadily, it was set off by the heat of the Blue Jays bats, no doubt. Yet no sooner had the alarm been silenced so were the bats of the Blue Jays cooled due to the veteran Andy Pettitte and his continued success against the Toronto squad as the Jays fell 8-2. Pettitte said of his outing “I felt good, these guys, they made it hard on me…by the sixth inning I was running on fumes…it was a win, that’s all that matters”.
The Jays lead by one after the first inning but the Yankees jumped on rookie Scott Richmond in the top of the second scoring 5 runs, including two triples two doubles and a homerun, while batting through the order and chasing him from the mound after just 1.2 innings. Cito Gaston said in the postgame press conference that “Scott Richmond didn’t have his real good stuff didn’t have good location on his fast ball or his breaking ball, that’s going to happen once in a while, we’ll just turn the page and come back tomorrow and see if we can’t win a game.”
As in any sport you can’t win them all, and Travis Snyder who had the night off described the ups and downs when I asked him about being a young guy in comparison to how Scott Richmond, as a young guy as well, would rebound “I don’t necessarily think just young guys, every starting pitchers going to have their games where they don’t have their best stuff…tonight was one of those nights for Scott but I think everybody in this club house is confident that, you know he’s shown what he can do at this level and he’s going to be just fine and bounce back.”
Scott Rolen was the only Blue Jay to muster more than one hit, while facing Pettitte, going 2-4 and scoring one of the two runs for the home team, improving his batting average against lefties to near the .400 mark and his overall average to .325, saying “Yeah I didn’t square a ball up tonight but I’ll take it wherever they fall, I’ll take that.”
The Blue Jays will send LHP Brian Tallet (2-1) to the mound to face the slow starting but always dangerous LHP CC Sabathia (2-3), Thursday night (7:07pm). This game will round out the three game series against the Yankees at the Roger Centre, and hopefully the Blue birds can regain the form that the Toronto fans have been treated too in this early MLB season. Go Jays GO!
By Ranhvir Samra…
The only sport that truly awards its Most Valuable Player award to the best player is in baseball where big time statistics overshadows team success. The NBA awarded its 2008-09 Most Valuable Player award to Cleveland Cavs Forward Lebron James. He had a great season leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to the best record in the NBA and home court advantage throughout the playoffs. James received the award that he should of won last season. Lebron averaged 28.4 points per game, 7 boards and 7 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field during the 2008-09 season. Last year Lebron averaged 30.0 points per game, averaged more rebounds and shot 48.4% from the field, losing a close MVP race to Kobe Bryant. Lebron James was the best player on the best team in the NBA this season, and that is why he was awarded the MVP award. Compare Lebron’s statistics to those of Miami Heat Guard Dwyane Wade and one can see that Lebron is a worthy MVP but not overwhelming worthy.
Without a doubt this season’s MVP race was a very close one. The top three players in the league lived up to their Olympic gold medalist reputations. Along with Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Lakers Kobe Bryant all were deserving of MVP consideration. However as the season progressed, it became apparent that the race for the MVP award was only a two horse battle, Lebron and Dwyane. Dwyane led the league in scoring with a 30.2 points per game average, was second in the league in steals with 2.2 per game, averaged a NBA top eight 7.5 assists per game, shot 49.1% from the field and averaged 1.3 blocks per game as well, and he’s only 6″3! All these statistical measures were higher than Lebron’s. As well as the impressive stats, Wade was on the highlight reel just as often as Lebron was, if not more. He made more spectacular plays than anyone else in the league this season on both ends of the floor.
Wade accomplished so much this season, with a bunch of scrubs as teammates. The Heat were a one man team and still managed a 5th seed in the Eastern Conference. How many times did you see Lebron throw down a slam on a breakaway? Many times, and how many times were they set up by a teammate like Mo Williams? Many times. Dwyane Wade had many breakaway dunks, but most of them resulting from a Dwyane Wade steal (2.2 per game average), big difference. The Cleveland Cavaliers lineup boasts two all-stars in Lebron and Mo Wiliams, as well as two former all-stars in Ben Wallace and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Heat have Dwyane Wade and a bunch of young players. Each night Dwyane Wade was the focus of the opponents defence. He still managed to shoot at a higher percentage than Lebron James, both from the field and at the line, while leading the league in scoring. Offensively Dwyane can do more than Lebron. Defensively Dwyane can do more than Lebron. And stats back this up, so why was Lebron awarded the MVP award this season? Was it because in 2003, a young Lebron was billed as the next great one, as the one who should win many NBA championships and many MVP awards and breaking many records. Even the greatest (Michael Jordan) couldn’t live up to these expectations, at least not right away. Now with Lebron appearing like he might leave Cleveland for New York after 2010, the NBA is trying to keep Lebron as happy as they possibly can. Without Lebron there is no thriving NBA scene in Cleveland, Ohio. Lebron sells many jerseys and Lebron has stated that if the Cavs don’t win a title he’s gone.
If Dwyane Wade was in Lebron’s position, the Cavs would be just as good and if Lebron was in Miami, the Heat would be just as good as they are now. That’s how close the MVP race was this season. If you consider that Wade missed 30 games last year and 30 games the year prior to that due to injuries, this makes Wade an even more worthy candidate for MVP. Nobody takes the ball to the hoop like Wade, nobody, and that includes King James. Dwyane is 6″3 and Lebron is 6″8. Ask someone who truly follows basketball and they will tell you that Dwyane Wade was the best player on the U.S. Olympic mens basketball team. His play carried over into the regular season and he continued to be the best player.
Just as Kobe “stole” the MVP award from Lebron last season, Lebron has done the same to Wade in 2009. There is no doubt that the voters for the MVP award are biased journalists, some having personal relations with players, who do not have an objective view of the NBA. How else can you explain how Lebron AND Kobe both ended up with more MVP votes than Dwyane Wade? Yes, I agree that the NBA and basketball is a team game and team success is more important than individual success, you know, there is no “I” in team type of logic. The NBA has an award for team success, it’s the NBA championship trophy. I agree that the Cavs have a great chance of winning the title this season, and if they do so, Lebron will be Finals MVP. Lebron had a fabulous season, however his title as NBA MVP is arguable. This season’s best player was Dwyane Wade. With double digit 40 point games and 4 50 plus point games, Wade was the man. He was top 16 in the league in scoring, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage, the only player in the league to do so. On a team that was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, here’s hoping Dwyane Wade gets what he deserves in 2010.
By Tommy G… I remember those days as a kid when I spent countless hours studying my hockey card collection. Who knew how much they would be worth? I just loved hockey cards, and I couldn’t get enough.
It was a form of entertainment, like watching a movie or reading a book. It was time spent with friends so that we could complete our collections via trades. Today’s youth might liken it to Facebook or Twitter.
We would memorize players’ stats and learn about the game through their mini bios. I guess this seems archaic now, but to us, it was a fulfilling hobby.
I don’t even think the majority of collectors are youth anymore. A plethora of “adults for profit” have taken over the reins.
The same baby boomers and Gen-Xers who once flipped through cards with soiled hands are now “double-sleeving” them so that they can’t be contaminated by impurities in the air.
My collection is long gone, but rounded corners and slight bends would render them valueless in the minds of collectors. In my life, these cards have a lot of worth because they filled my mind with great memories of my favorite sport.
What happened to the hockey card business, or better yet, what happened to youth? Why does everything have to be glossy with graphics that ignore the real subject—the athlete?
Some of these cards are made so thick that I can’t imagine they even need plastic for protection. Do all young people have such an attention issue that they can’t value simplicity?
Then you have game-worn jersey cards and other gimmicky cards together with so many manufacturers that even the price, which collectors value the most, is in question.
When will this insanity end? I recollect when O-Pee-Chee/Topps was the only major player with one set per season. Those were the days when collecting seemed plausible.
But then again, assembling a set was done for different reasons. I guess present-day hobbyists just want the “big ticket” cards with the dollar sign written all over.
It’s a shame how a great pastime has been stained in the name of the almighty buck. In the end, most of these cards aren’t worth a lot of money anyway.
Check out Changing On The Fly
By Terri Workman… After just one Training Camp session this past Sunday, Toronto Nationals Lacrosse announced their final roster Monday afternoon and will kick off the 2009 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) season this coming weekend on the road in Annapolis, MD against the Washington Bayhawks.
The 23-man active roster was due at the MLL office by 5:00 p.m. Monday with an exception for the Toronto Nationals who are able to submit a 28-man roster. Teams who have a significant number of players still finishing their season in the National Lacrosse League (NLL) are able to keep these particular players active until decisions on their status have been made following the NLL Championship game this weekend.
Head coach Dave Huntley is looking forward to getting the group together over the next couple of weeks.
“It was difficult to pare this roster down given the talent and interest of the players we had available to us” said Huntley. “I think we have a group that loves playing lacrosse and will enjoy playing with each other.”
Of the final active roster players, ten were members of the 2008 MLL Championship Rochester Rattlers team, including Brodie Merrill, Joe Walters, John Grant Jr. and Colin Doyle to name a few.
Toronto Nationals President & GM, Stuart Brown said the team will need to get a few games under their belt before they will really know what the team identity is going to be.
“Our strategy behind the final roster was to create a strong team from the net out,” said Brown. “We shouldn’t have any trouble scoring goals this season so the focus quickly became defence, transition and face-offs.”
“I think we have addressed all three of those areas, especially with the acquisition of Geoff Snider,” Brown added.
Toronto Nationals acquired midfielder and draw-man Geoff Snider in an early morning trade with the Denver Outlaws in exchange for a third round selection in the 2010 Collegiate Draft.
In 25 career regular season games with the Outlaws, Snider tallied 25 points (18 goals, 7 assists) and collected 163 groundballs. He won 372 face-offs in 729 attempts for the Outlaws and was named to the 2007 MLL All-Star Game as a member of the Western Conference squad.
Snider, a Calgary Alberta native was also a Team Canada player from the 2006 World Field Championship and was named the MVP of the gold medal game that year.
The Toronto Nationals return home the following weekend to open their home series of six games on May 22, 2009 when they host the Chicago Machine at BMO Field.
Season tickets and single game tickets for the Toronto Nationals inaugural season are still available. Season ticket packages start as low as $90. For any ticketing information, please call the Toronto Nationals Lacrosse office at 416-596-0676 or email [email protected].
Visit www.nationalslacrosse.com for the full Toronto Nationals Lacrosse roster and player bio information.
2009 Toronto Nationals Lacrosse Roster
|
No.
|
Name
|
Position
|
Hometown
|
|
1
|
Joe Walters
|
Attack
|
Rochester, NY
|
|
2
|
Rob Scherr
|
Goalie
|
Reistertown, MD
|
|
3
|
Geoff Snider
|
Midfield
|
Calgary, AB
|
|
4
|
Joe Cinosky
|
Defence
|
Boonton Township, NJ
|
|
5
|
Jon Sullivan
|
Defence
|
St. Catharines, ON
|
|
6
|
Dan Dawson
|
Midfield
|
Oakville, ON
|
|
7
|
Colin Doyle
|
Attack
|
Kitchener, ON
|
|
9
|
Gavin Prout
|
Midfield
|
Whitby, ON
|
|
11
|
Kyle Sorensen
|
Defence
|
Peterborough, ON
|
|
17
|
Brodie Merrill
|
Defence
|
Montreal, PQ
|
|
18
|
Phil Sanderson
|
Defence
|
Orangeville, ON
|
|
19
|
Craig Point
|
Midfield
|
Ohsweken, ON
|
|
20
|
Stephen Hoar
|
Midfield
|
Bowmanville, ON
|
|
22
|
Gary Gait
|
Attack
|
Fayetteville, NY
|
|
23
|
Brett Queener
|
Goalie
|
Penn Yann, NY
|
|
29
|
Merrick Thomson
|
Attack
|
Hamilton, ON
|
|
32
|
Athan Iannucci
|
Attack
|
New Westminster, BC
|
|
41
|
Jordan Levine
|
Midfield
|
Bethpage, NY
|
|
51
|
Shawn Williams
|
Attack
|
Scarborough, ON
|
|
63
|
Tom Montour
|
Midfield
|
Six Nations, ON
|
|
67
|
Jeff Zywicki
|
Attack
|
Ottawa, ON
|
|
77
|
Nick O’Hara
|
Defence
|
Orchard Park, NY
|
|
81
|
Roger Vyse
|
Attack
|
Six Nations, ON
|
|
Practice Roster
|
|
|
|
8
|
Delby Powless
|
Attack
|
Six Nations, ON
|
|
NLL Exempt
|
|
|
|
16
|
Patrick Merrill
|
Midfield
|
Montreal, PQ
|
|
44
|
Jordan Hall
|
Midfield
|
Surrey, BC
|
|
48
|
Matt Vinc
|
Defence
|
St. Catharines, ON
|
|
Physically Unable to Perform
|
|
|
|
24
|
John Grant Jr.
|
Attack
|
Peterborough, ON
|
|
-
|
Dan Cocoziello
|
Defence
|
Oldwick, NJ
|
By Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter…
The Washington Capitals run to the Stanley Cup is officially over, can’t help but wonder if Capitals bigmouth Alexander Semin thinks Crosby is special now? Semin came out in late November and had some choice words for Crosby; for those of you that missed them or have forgotten, let’s see what Semin said about Sid the Kid-
“What’s so special about (Sidney Crosby)? I don’t see anything special there. Yes, he does skate well, has a good head, good pass. But there’s nothing else. Even if you compare him to Patrick Kane from Chicago … (Patrick Kane) is a much more interesting player. The way he moves, his deking abilities, his thinking on the ice and his anticipation of the play is so superb. “I think that if you take any player, even if he is “dead wood,” and start promoting him, you’ll get a star. Especially if he scores 100 points. No one is going to care about anyone else. No one is going to care whether he possesses great skill. Let’s say you put someone in front of the net and let him deflect pucks in, and he scored 50 goals; everyone will say “Wow!” and then hand him a $10 million per year contract. That’s what they like here”. “What ‘Cha talk’in ‘bout Alex”?
Well Alexander, let’s take a look at the facts. After Wednesday nights game 7 between the losing Capitals and Penguins, Sidney Crosby had 12 Goals (3 on the Power Play) and 9 Assists for 21 points (13 of them versus Washington, including 2 goals and an assist in game 7), was a +6 and has been arguably the best player in the entire playoffs. Crosby has numerous big goals, including the tying goal in game 6, he has continually been a key member of the Pens Power Play, and he has exhibited tremendous leadership skills, clearly putting himself into the mix for the Conn Smythe trophy as the NHL’s best playoff performer. So, Alexander, you of “ZERO” Goals in the Pittsburgh series and “ZERO” points in game 7, how does your foot taste? Dumb-azzzz!!!
To be fair Semin is just a Kid, who, unlike Crosby, lacks the maturity and intellect to keep his mouth shut. I think any possibility of him becoming a Pro Scout after his hockey career expires is all but over. Crosby is the reason the Penguins still have a franchise in Pittsburgh, he is a born leader, he is one of the most feared players in NHL history, he is a magician with the puck, he is extremely marketable, he is capable of winning a Stanley Cup, leading his Country to a World Championship and (Dare I say it) an Olympic Gold Medal. Crosby is everything Semin is not, a man of little words who let’s his game speak for itself.
Enjoy the golf courses in Russia Alexander, be sure to tune into the Stanley Cup playoffs, you just might see a player who “…Skates well, has a good head, good pass…but (There’s) nothing else”, raise the Cup.
Ohhhhh, if you could only take it back, eh big mouth?
By Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano…
The femme fatales of this league are busting their butts for their fans every game, bringing a wow factor unequalled in any other local sport. This rough and tumble roller derby of beauties has hard hits, fits of madness and feats of athleticism involving balance, speed, skill, and straight up guts.
Voodoo Ray, an avid fan of this league said “Hells fury never looked so hot on eight wheels” describing the scorn of a woman relative to this game, and he added “thankfully I’m not the target”.
The 3rd season kicks off at George Bell Arena on May 30th with the Gore Gore Rollergirls taking on the Chicks Ahoy, featuring such Jammers as “Dust Bunny” “Bambi” and “Lunch Box” for the Gores, while the Chicks Ahoy boast such stars as “Mach Wheels” “Dolly Destructo” and “Candy Crossbones”.
Get down and check out these violent vixens at 7PM Saturday May 30th at George Bell Arena (215 Ryding Ave). Their full schedule along with advanced tickets are available at www.torontorollerderby.com or it’s a meagre 15$ at the door. Get there and get in on the chaos! I’ll be there and I’ll always be looking for quotes from fans, make sure to give me your read on this action!
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